Physical Education Curriculum Statement

At the federation of St Edmund’s and St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, our PE curriculum is designed to develop knowledge, abilities and skills which will inspire children to live a healthy and active life style.  PE is taught in line with our mission statement, ‘learning together in God’s love by encouraging and supporting one another’, in which pupils are encouraged to embed the values that we promote as a school, including respect, collaboration and resilience.  Through PE, pupils develop skills and knowledge of a wide variety of sports and activities, including Forest schools, which helps to foster and develop pupils’ collaborative skills and their respect for themselves, others and the environment.

The PE curriculum meets all of the aims of the National Curriculum for Physical Education, which are:

• To Develop competence to excel in a broad range of physical activities
• That pupils are physically active for sustained periods of time
• To engage in competitive sports and activities
• To lead healthy, active lives

The Physical Education curriculum is designed to develop and build upon skills taught in previous years, using a “ladder of learning”, which starts in Early Years.   The Early Years foundation stage (EYFS) follows the EYFS guidance and uses the same teaching and learning scheme as Key Stage 1 and 2.  As such, skills developed as part of the physical development area in EYFS are built upon in years that follow.  

All year groups follow the Cambridgeshire Sport and Education Partnership scheme of work.  This scheme provides a range of activity-based units which are progressive from Key Stage One onwards.  In this scheme, each year group are taught a variety of invasion game-based activities (football, basketball, rugby etc), gymnastics, dance, athletics and outdoor and adventurous activities (OAA).    

All pupils take part in two PE lessons per week.  All sport is mixed, to promote an inclusive environment.   As PE is closely linked to other aspects of the curriculum, pupils are encouraged to be reflective learners during their lessons, linking the changes that occur during exercise with what they learn during PSHE and science so they can make links with healthy lifestyles, emotional and mental well-being. In KS1, Forest Schools is taught as part of our Physical Education provision, with the intent to increase pupils understanding of the natural world and their surroundings. It allows the pupils to take risks in a safe environment.  Swimming is taught in Year 3, with the aim for all pupils to be able to swim 25 metres confidently.  KS 2 pupils take part in a residential which provides opportunities for outdoor adventurous activities (canoeing, climbing, orienteering, abseiling)

In addition to the PE lessons provided, staff and pupils are encouraged to participate in the daily mile or short activity breaks throughout the school day to promote an active lifestyle.   

Physical Education outside the curriculum

In the Federation schools, there are a wide variety of sporting clubs and opportunities for pupils to improve and learn skills and sports during lunchtimes and after school.  As part of the school’s partnership with external, local, sporting providers such as Maxim Sports, Premier Sport and Sporting 87, pupils can take part in sports not taught during lesson times.  These providers give the opportunity for pupils to participate in sports such as fencing, archery, among other more traditional sports, with the aim being to provide a gateway for pupils into the world of sport and physical activity.  

In addition to external club provision, Year 6 Sports Leaders are encouraged to plan, lead and demonstrate sports and games for pupils in KS1 and KS2 during lunchtimes.

The schools participate in ‘Your School Games’ in association with other schools in Bury St Edmunds, Sudbury and the surrounding area.  Pupils are encouraged to participate in sporting events, both competitively and non-competitively, with other schools.  Successes in these events, as well as individual sporting success for pupils are acknowledged during celebration assemblies.